Manchester United legend Andy Cole has revealed he was stunned Leeds striker Patrick Bamford wasn’t selected for the latest England squad.
But the 27-year-old has been told not to give up hope, with talkSPORT told he still has a good chance of being called up for Euro 2020 this summer.
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Bamford has enjoyed a fine season for Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side this season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in 29 Premier League games.
Those numbers currently see him ranked FOURTH in the race for the Golden Boot this term, with Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah only leading the way with 17.
He was widely tipped for a senior England call-up as a reward for his sparking form, but the Chelsea academy graduate was overlooked by manager Gareth Southgate for his latest Three Lions squad for this international break.
Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins were picked in his place, and in fairness both found the net in England’s 5-0 victory over San Marino on Thursday.
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But asked for his reaction to Bamford missing out, Cole told talkSPORT on Saturday: “I’ve got to be honest, I was surprised.
“We all know Bamford has been around for some time but this season at Leeds he’s been absolutely fantastic.
“Not just his work rate and the way he closes people down, but the goals he’s got.
“The manager Marcelo Bielsa believes in him and the way he’s played, the way he’s got his goals and the way he creates chances for his teammates… he’s got nice moment too.
“When you play for Leeds, especially the way Bielsa wants you to play, as a centre-forward you’ve got to have decent movement. His touch and awareness of other players is also very good.
“I was very, very surprised he didn’t get the opportunity to be in this England squad.”
talkSPORT pundit Perry Groves believes the striker’s lack of pace compared to his fellow English strikers has affected his chances.
Southgate, when announcing his squad selection, admitted how close Bamford was to getting the call but said Watkins’ versatility across the front line is the reason he was selected instead.
But the former Arsenal winger believes there’s still a good chance Bamford could be picked for England’s Euro 2020 squad.
“Bamford has got 14 Premier League goals this season, so he’s just got to make sure he keeps scoring,” he added on the Saturday Session.
“Because there’s going to be a lot of injuries, particularly muscle injuries, between now and the end of the season and the way Bamford plays, he’s not an explosive player, he’s not one who relies on his pace and power.
“On the injury side that might do him a favour because you might get more of the sprinters getting injured.”
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